“Mom, I need you to do me a favor today. I need you to take this bag of money to the bank. See if the people at the bank can turn these coins into cash. It will be easier for me to carry around cash in my pockets. Listen, don’t tell anybody about this, ok? Thanks, Mom.”

“Jay, come back here! Where did you get this money? I thought you gave all of your money to Will after you accidentally hit him in the face with your cast.”

“I did, but that was old money. This is some new money I just found.”

Readers, do me a favor and check your wallets, would ya? Let me know if anything is missing. I’m smart enough to know that money doesn’t grow on trees, or does it? Now that I’m thinking about it, I seem to recall a discussion that took place on the bus…

“Mom, did you know that if you bury a quarter from the state of Minnesota in your backyard, at exactly 11:59 pm during a thunderstorm, you’ll grow a real live money tree? But, here’s the problem…you can’t spend the money because it’s illegal and the police will throw you in juvie if you try. It’s true…I heard it on the bus.”

Samantha (5) crawled under the kitchen table this morning. (my kids have difficulty sitting at the table for meals without exploring) She exclaimed “I found a nickel!” My 8 year old son comes running, “It’s mine.” Samantha “No it isn’t, daddy gave this to me.” (not true.)

Both kids have understood the value for quite some time, and have no qualms fibbing about ownership. I quickly put a stop to the bickering, “No, it’s mommies!” (hey, I’m on a budget.) 🙂

It’s interesting to hear from other parents on the variety of issues that come along. Once my son made the comment (when I said no on buying something) “I should just steal out of your purse like my friends do”. I said WHAT?! He said they do it all the time, but he doesn’t because “I know I’d just be stealing from us”. The fact he had this connection, I was so grateful. I’m glad I don’t need to hide the purse around the house (except when his friends come!). I reckon your son has just picked up coins here & there – even in couches on buses etc. Hope he made lots!

See a pinney pick it up – by the
way there is such a thing as a
money tree. I’m sitting next to
one right now. Trouble is – it
doesen’t actually grow money.
Buddists usted to plant them
outside their temples and
people would tie donations
to the branches. The leaves
do however, vaguely resemble
mariwana. It would be nice if
things were truer to their name.
But then my water dragon could
burn my house down . . .